PSAT Reading Question 138: Answer and Explanation

Question: 138

It reasonably can be inferred from the passage that

• A. the patient's treatment would have been more successful if scientists had used cells from another area of his body instead of from his olfactory bulbs.
• B. cells from olfactory bulbs will be used to cure diseases that affect areas of the body other than the spinal cord.
• C. the patient who received the experimental treatment using cells from olfactory bulbs would not have regained mobility without this treatment.
• D. soon doctors will be able to treat spinal injuries without time-consuming and demanding physical therapy.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

C

Difficulty: Hard

Category: Inference

Getting to the Answer: Remember that when a question is asking you to infer something, the answer is not stated explicitly in the passage. In paragraph 2, the author explains that the patient who received the experimental treatment had not seen an increase in mobility despite "countless hours" (line 23) of physical therapy. Therefore, it is logical to infer that the patient would not have regained mobility without this experimental treatment. Choice (C) is the correct answer.